College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences

Department of Religion and Culture

Judaic Studies Program

Endowed in 1996, the Malcolm and Diane Rosenberg Program in Judaic Studies offers students the opportunity to explore, examine, and critically engage the rich and multifaceted history, religion, and culture of the Jewish people. As members of a community that has crossed a number of borders and cultures, the Jews have served as transmitters of texts and ideas, as agents of cultural and intellectual cross-fertilization and innovation. Judaic culture has significantly contributed to Western and other civilizations.

The program is multidisciplinary in nature, and complements various existing courses and programs dedicated to major religions and cultures at Virginia Tech. The minor in Judaic Studies (IDJS) fits especially well as part of the Interdisciplinary Studies (IDST) major.

The minor is an option for students in all majors. The student who chooses a minor in Judaic Studies will work closely with a faculty advisor to tailor an academic program which fits the interests of the student while also ensuring the student's acquaintance with the diverse topics of Judaic Studies. The minor requires 18 credit hours, which may be used towards the IDST major with other minors at Virginia Tech. Students will take the two required courses and then choose four additional courses from three units, at least one course from each unit.

Required courses (6 hours):
JUD 2134: Judaism: A Survey of History, Culture and Heritage
JUD/REL 2414: Hebrew Bible/Old Testament

Elective courses (12 hours, at least one course from each unit):
Unit 1: Hebrew Language
JUD/HEB 1104: Hebrew Language
JUD/HEB 1114: Accelerated Elementary Hebrew Language

Unit 2: The Jewish Experience
JUD/HIST 3494: The Holocaust
JUD 3424: Topics in Jewish Culture, History and Thought
REL 4414: Topics in Biblical Studies
JUD 4424: Adv. Topics in Jewish Culture, History and Thought

Unit 3: Israel Studies
HIST 2346: History of the Middle East
HIST 3654: The Arab-Israeli Dispute
JUD/PSCI 3544: The State of Israel: A Political History
JUD 4974: Independent Study

Judaic Studies Courses (JUD)

1104 (HEB 1104): INTRODUCTION TO HEBREW LANGUAGE, CIVILIZATION AND CULTURE
Fundamentals of Modern Hebrew language with emphasis on grammar, reading, composition, and conversation. For students with no prior knowledge of the language. (3H,3C)

1114 (HEB 1114): ACCELERATED ELEMENTARY HEBREW LANGUAGE
Complementary introduction to the fundamentals of Modern Hebrew language with continued emphasis on grammar, reading, composition, and conversation. This course is for students who have completed 1104 or with permission from instructor. 1114 is a four-credit course with a self-instruction component that demands student time outside of class. Pre: 1104. (3H,2L,4C)

2134: JUDAISM: A SURVEY OF HISTORY, CULTURE AND HERITAGE
A thematic and historical introduction to ancient, medieval, and modern Judaism, up to the founding of the State of Israel. Themes will include monotheism, exile, mysticism, Kabbala, Hasidism, anti-Semitism, the Holocaust, and Judaism in Israel and America. I (3H,3C)

2414 (REL 2414): HEBREW BIBLE/OLD TESTAMENT
Introduction to the academic study of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament); a variety of scholarly approaches to the Bible, including historical-critical, literary, and gender studies. Emphasis on developing skills in critical thinking, reading, and writing about the Bible. Previously taught as 2405. I (3H,3C)

2984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.

3424: TOPICS IN JEWISH CULTURE, HISTORY & THOUGHT
Selected topics in Jewish culture, history and thought. The courses will focus on a variety of specific issues and will tend to be held as an in-depth seminar in affiliation with the Honor Student's Program. Possible topics include: Jewish thought and philosophy in one of the three periods- ancient, medieval or modern; the American Jewish experience; Jewish music and art (Judaica); Jewish mysticism, and various cultural movements and religious traditions. Taught alternate years. I (3H,3C)

3494 (HIST 3494): THE HOLOCAUST
This course provides a historical account, a psychological analysis and an occasion for philosophical contemplation on the Holocaust. We will examine the deliberate and systematic attempt to annihilate the Jewish people by the National Socialist German State during World War II. Although Jews were the primary victims, Gypsies, the handicapped, homosexuals, Jehovah's Witnesses and political dissidents were targeted, we will discuss their faith as well. The class will be organized around the examination of primary sources: written accounts, photographic and film, personal testimony. Taught alternate years. (3H,3C)

3544 (PSCI 3544): THE STATE OF ISRAEL: A POLITICAL HISTORY
This course provides a survey on the political history of the State of Israel and highlights major themes uniquely characterizing the specific events surrounding its establishment and its first 50 years of existence. Additionally, the course will add a comparative dimension by using the political history of Israel as a case study to discuss major themes in political science such as democracy, government, political economy, etc. Taught PSCI 1024 or JUD 2134. alternate years. Pre: or 2134). (3H,3C) II.

4424: ADVANCED TOPICS IN JEWISH CULTURE, HISTORY & THOUGHT
Selected topics in Jewish culture, history and thought. The courses will focus on a variety of more advanced and more specific issues than those offered in JUD 3424. These courses will be held as an an-depth seminar in affiliation with the Honor Student's Program. Possible topics includes: the Philosophy of Maimonides, Spinoza or Buber, or a course dedicated to one of the following topics Kabbalah, Hasidism, The American Jewish experience in the first half of the 20th century, and Oriental Jewish art and folklore. Two JUD courses or senior standing required. Alternate years. (3H,3C) II.

4974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.

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